Geographically, the New York portion of the
St. Lawrence River can be divided into three distinct,
easily defined areas. From Tibbetts Point near Cape Vincent
to approximately Morristown is the most popular area known
as the Thousand Islands Region. The lower section of the
river, from the Iroquois Dam to the Moses-Saunders Power Dam
near Massena, is referred to as Lake St. Lawrence, created
with the construction of the Seaway in 1959. The area which
lies between these two sections is appropriately known a the
Middle Corridor. Though unique in some respects, all three
areas share a highly productive fishery.
Bass
Although largemouth bass are taken on the St. Lawrence,
smallmouth bass is the most commonly caught species. Good
catches of small mouths are taken around islands (such as
Carleton, Round and Linda); off points (Bartlett, Chippewa
and Grass), in bays (Goose, Chippewa and bays of Grindstone
and Wellesley Islands) below the Moses-Saunders Power Dam
and off shoals. Small spinners, jigs, and rubber worms work
well in the late summer, while live bait including minnows,
worms and crayfish are good early season baits.
Largemouth bass can be found in shallow weedy bays and along
edges of shoals. Lake of the Isles on Wellesley Island is
known as the largemouth hot spot for the St. Lawrence River.
Rubber worms, spinner baits, surface lures, plugs and worms
are common baits.
Northern Pike/Walleye
Northern pike fishing can be enjoyed almost year-round. In
winter, ice fishermen take good catches from bays near Cape
Vincent, Clayton, Wellesley Island, Alexandria Bay, Wheat
house Bay (downstream from Ogdensburg) and Coles Creek using
tip-ups with large minnows. During spring, shallow weedy
bays and shoals are places where northern pike anglers do
well. As a rule, bays that provided action for ice fishermen
will do the same for open water anglers. In addition to
those areas already mentioned, the Bays of Grindstone
Island, Grasse Point, Goose Bay and off Oak Point are also
good spots during spring and summer. Trolling or casting
with live bait (especially minnows and shiners), large
spoons and large plugs as well as jigging with black or
yellow jigs will bring in good catches.
Walleye fishing is more localized than northern pike fishing
along the river. In May, walleye hot spots are generally
where major tributaries enter the St. Lawrence. The mouths
of the Oswegatchie and Grasse Rivers, below the
Moses-Saunders Power Dam at Massena and off shoals and
points are all good bets. Worms on spinners or jigs are the
most popular lures.
In summer and early fall, walleye fishing changes somewhat.
At this time, points and shoals along the river provide only
limited action while the areas below the Moses Saunders
Power Dam and around Carleton Island become the hot spots.
Fish with minnows or jigs (especially black) and a worm.
Public Boat Launch Sites (listed from up river to down
river) Site Maintenance Parking Docking Marina Fishing?
Location
Cape Vincent Municipal X X Nearby Off Route 12E, in village
Clayton Municipal X X Off Route 12 in village
Alexandria Bay Municipal X Off Route 12 in village
Goose Bay Municipal X Off Route 12, east of Alexandria Bay
Chippewa Bay Municipal X Nearby Off Route 12, midway between
Alexandria Bay and Morristown
Oak Point Municipal Off Route 12, west of Morristown
Morristown Municipal X X Off Routes 12 and 37, in village
Ogdensburg Municipal X X Shore Morrisette Park in city
Lisbon Town Beach Municipal X Off Route 37, across from
Galop Island
Waddington Municipal X Off Route 37, east side of village
Brandy Brook State X Shore Off Route 37, three miles east of
Waddington
Wilson Hill State X Shore Off Route 131 near Massena
Remember, the St. Lawrence River spans two countries with
great fishing available on both sides. Know where you are
fishing at all times and obey the rules and regulations of
the country under whose jurisdiction you are fishing. You
can find these regulations listed in the appropriate
Regulations Guide available from license issuing agents. An
Ontario license is required when fishing in Canadian waters
and a New York license is needed in American waters. New
York fishing licenses can be obtained from many bait shops
and sport shops. Ontario licenses are available from the
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and various Ontario
sport shops.
New York License and Fishing Information:
NYS DEC, State Office Building
317 Washington Street, Watertown NY 13501
(315) 785-2262
NYSDEC, License Sales Office, Room 151
625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4790
(518) 402-8985
Canadian License and Fishing Information:
District Manager, Ministry of Natural Resources
13 Amelia Street, Box 1949, Cornwall Ontario, Canada K6H 5V7
(613) 933-1774 |
